MANILA – George King Jr. made his final game with Blackwater Bossing in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup as they cruised to a 139-118 victory over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Monday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
King finished with 64 points, including a 20-of-20 free throw shooting, to go with 13 rebounds as the Bossing ended their conference with a 5-5 win-loss slate, falling short of making it to the quarterfinals.
“In a game like this, I have to find motivation, and that’s what the best players do. I just told myself it was a great night to play basketball; there was no pressure,” said the former Dallas Mavericks forward.
Sedrick Barefield added 21 markers, four assists, two rebounds, and two steals, while Richard Escoto, Jeth Troy Rosario, and Derohn Mitchell contributed 13, 12, and 11, respectively, for the Bossing.
Bossing head coach Jeffrey Cariaso said it was frustrating for the team to fall short of reaching the quarterfinals following the NLEX Road Warriors’ 103-99 win over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings on Sunday night.
“Of course, we are disappointed of not having a chance at least to make the playoffs,” Cariaso said. “But the lesson here is you cannot rely on other (teams) to move forward (in the playoffs).”
“The challenge for my players in this game was to come out and play their game and respect the game and show the character that we have, and I can’t say enough of how they play,” he added.
Jhonard Clarito led the way for the Painters with 18 points, Anton Asistio and Aaron Fuller added 14 markers apiece, while Caelan Tiongson contributed 11 markers as they wrapped up the eliminations with a 7-3 win-loss slate.
Despite the loss, the Painters will still move on to the quarterfinals round as the top-seed from Group B. They will face Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, which ended as the No. 4 seed in Group A./PN
BOX SCORE:
BLACKWATER 139 – King 64, Barefield 21, Escoto 13, Rosario 12, Mitchell 11, Corteza 5, Chua 4, Casio 3, Ilagan 3, Montalbo 2, Jopia 1, Ponferrada 0, Kwekuteye 0, Suerte 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 118 – Clarito 18, Asistio 14, Fuller 14, Tiongson 11, Lemetti 9, Nocum 9, Ildefonso 8, Caracut 7, Mamuyac 6, Belga 6, Datu 3, Villegas 3, Escandor 2, Norwood 0, Borboran 0.
Quarterscores : 41-37, 70-54, 106-91, 139-118.
